Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Dementia

摘要

Dementia is a disorder characterizedby cognitive or behavioral deficits thatinterfere with ones ability to functionat work or in their usual activities andrepresents a decline from previous levelof functioning. Most patients diagnosedwith dementia develop neuropsychiatricsymptoms at some stage during their illness.1 Neuropsychiatric (NP) symptomsare associated with an accelerated declinein overall patient functioning, increaseduse of medications, frequent hospitalizationand earlier entry into nursing homesor supportive living environment. They arehighly disruptive to caregivers and familymembers, greatly affecting quality of lifeof those caring for patients with dementia.Quality of life is found to be lowest inthose caring for patients with symptoms ofagitation, aggression and irritability.2